Royal Challengers Bengaluru have been dealt a significant setback ahead of IPL 2026, with director of cricket Mo Bobat confirming that Yash Dayal will not be part of the squad this season due to a personal situation. The development brings clarity after days of speculation surrounding Dayal’s absence from RCB’s pre-season training sessions. Despite being retained ahead of the auction—a decision that had already sparked debate among fans—the left-arm pacer will not feature in the upcoming campaign.

Addressing the situation, Bobat emphasised that the franchise continues to stand by the player. “So, just to confirm that Yash will not be joining up with the squad. As you know, he is going through a personal situation currently,” he said. He further underlined that RCB’s decision to retain Dayal reflected their long-term faith in him.  “We wanted to retain him, and he remains under contract and will continue in the short term to remain under contract,” Bobat added.

Importantly, the franchise has maintained regular communication with the pacer.

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“We are communicating with him regularly. I spoke to him earlier today as well… it has been decided that it is not in his best interest or the franchise’s best interest for him to join up with us at this point,” he explained. Reassuring fans, Bobat concluded, “He retains our support, and we’ll continue to speak to him as he goes through his personal situation.”

Dayal’s absence is a notable blow for RCB, especially considering his impact during their IPL 2025 title-winning campaign. The left-arm seamer picked up 13 wickets and played a crucial role in providing variety to the bowling attack. His ability to swing the new ball and deliver under pressure made him a key asset alongside experienced names like Bhuvneshwar Kumar.

From a tactical standpoint, his unavailability leaves a gap in the bowling unit’s balance. However, RCB still possess a strong pool of pace options, including Josh Hazlewood, Nuwan Thushara, and Romario Shepherd, who are expected to take on greater responsibility this season.

One of the key constraints for the franchise is that it cannot name a replacement for Dayal, as he remains under contract. This makes squad management even more critical as the team prepares for the new campaign. While the exact details of Dayal’s situation have not been publicly discussed by the franchise, reports suggest ongoing legal matters have kept him away from competitive cricket.

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Despite this uncertainty, RCB’s decision to continue backing him indicates they are willing to take a patient and supportive approach. As IPL 2026 kicks off, RCB will need to recalibrate their bowling strategy and rely on depth to fill the void. For now, the focus remains firmly on the squad available, while the franchise continues to monitor Dayal’s situation in the background.